Related Links

Etowah school board interviews candidates for vacancy

By Kendra CarterTimes Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 11:30 p.m.

Members of the Etowah County Board of Education on Thursday interviewed nine candidates to fill a vacant seat on the board, and are expected to select their newest colleague at a board meeting next week.

Board members interviewed Anne Butler, a retired educator; Windon Edge, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Jacksonville State University; Wardrick Griffin, a special programs coordinator for Quality of Life Health Services; Lanny Handy, an Etowah County deputy sheriff and supervisor of county school resource officers; Terry Harris, retired assistant superintendent of Gadsden City Schools; Todd Hindsman, certified public accountant at Hindsman-Davis P.C.; Jerry Smith, retired educator; Curtis Whited, retired principal of West End High; and Nancy Croley, retired principal of Walnut Park Elementary and leader of after-school programs.

Candidates individually interviewed with the board beginning at 3 p.m.

Twelve candidates had submitted their names in December for appointment consideration, but three candidates withdrew their names before the interviews began.

“I think it's going to be a tough decision, because each stood out for a lot of different reasons,” said Board President Doug Sherrod, who represents the Sardis school district. “The candidates have a lot of experience to offer to the community, the board and the school system.”

Sherrod said each candidate is qualified, and that's what makes the decision difficult.

“I'm sure the board will work together and make the best decision we can,” he said.

The board has until Jan. 10 to fill the seat left empty after Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, was elected to the Alabama Legislature in December. The newest member would fulfill the remainder of Butler's unexpired, six-year term, which ends in November 2014.

The board is expected to select its new member during a regular meeting Tuesday. Members agreed Thursday to meet at 4 p.m. that day, in order to meet in executive session to discuss the candidates before voting.

That meeting will be held inside the board's central office, 3200 W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden.

<p>Members of the Etowah County Board of Education on Thursday interviewed nine candidates to fill a vacant seat on the board, and are expected to select their newest colleague at a board meeting next week.</p><p>Board members interviewed Anne Butler, a retired educator; Windon Edge, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Jacksonville State University; Wardrick Griffin, a special programs coordinator for Quality of Life Health Services; Lanny Handy, an Etowah County deputy sheriff and supervisor of county school resource officers; Terry Harris, retired assistant superintendent of Gadsden City Schools; Todd Hindsman, certified public accountant at Hindsman-Davis P.C.; Jerry Smith, retired educator; Curtis Whited, retired principal of West End High; and Nancy Croley, retired principal of Walnut Park Elementary and leader of after-school programs.</p><p>Candidates individually interviewed with the board beginning at 3 p.m.</p><p>Twelve candidates had submitted their names in December for appointment consideration, but three candidates withdrew their names before the interviews began.</p><p>“I think it's going to be a tough decision, because each stood out for a lot of different reasons,” said Board President Doug Sherrod, who represents the Sardis school district. “The candidates have a lot of experience to offer to the community, the board and the school system.”</p><p>Sherrod said each candidate is qualified, and that's what makes the decision difficult.</p><p>“I'm sure the board will work together and make the best decision we can,” he said. </p><p>The board has until Jan. 10 to fill the seat left empty after Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, was elected to the Alabama Legislature in December. The newest member would fulfill the remainder of Butler's unexpired, six-year term, which ends in November 2014.</p><p>The board is expected to select its new member during a regular meeting Tuesday. Members agreed Thursday to meet at 4 p.m. that day, in order to meet in executive session to discuss the candidates before voting.</p><p>That meeting will be held inside the board's central office, 3200 W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden.</p>